High Protein Breakfast Helps Dieters

Now, there’s another reason to enjoy an egg along with lean Canadian bacon for breakfast even when you are dieting. A new study published by the British Journal of Nutrition found that timing of dietary protein intake affects feelings of fullness throughout the day.

Purdue University researchers tested the effect of consuming the additional protein at specific meals - breakfast, lunch or dinner - or spaced evenly throughout the day. Results of the study show that the feeling of fullness was greatest and most sustained throughout the day when the additional protein, from eggs and lean Canadian bacon, was eaten at breakfast versus lunch or dinner.

"There is a growing body of research which supports eating high-quality protein foods when dieting to maintain a sense of fullness," said Wayne Campbell, study author and professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue. The study looked at the timing of protein intake and reveals that when you consume protein may be a critical piece of the equation.

The new research funded by the National Pork Board and the American Egg Board, evaluated overweight or obese men who followed a reduced-calorie diet.

"This is another example of how pork provides consumers interested in weight control more options," said Barb Determan, a pork producer from Early, Iowa and chair of NPB’s nutrition committee. "Just last year, a checkoff-funded study published in an issue of the journal Obesity revealed that a calorie-restricted diet with additional protein resulted in retained post-meal feelings of fullness and improved overall mood.”

Campbell also notes that most Americans typically consume a relatively small amount of protein at breakfast, only about 15 percent of their total daily protein intake. Additionally, consumer research by the International Food Information Council shows that 92 percent of Americans cite breakfast as the most important meal of the day, however only 46 percent eat breakfast every day.

"This presents a great opportunity for pork," said Determan. "Consumers can visit TheOtherWhiteMeat.com to find high-quality breakfast ideas that will help them in their weight loss efforts."